The conference on Governance and leadership, and sub-themed around ‘Advancing knowledge for Social Transformation in a Dynamic Global World’, is intended to share knowledge and experiences of both academics and practitioners on governance and leadership. Arguably, Good governance and effective leadership are the two most essential requirements for any organization to be successful in the eyes of all stakeholders in the 21st century. There is a direct link between Good Governance, Effective Leadership, and Economic Prosperity or Societal Transformation. The difference between African and Asian countries, many of which started their history as states at the same point in the 1960s, is striking. Lack of effective leadership and good governance are the leading causes of Africa’s dismay and lagging behind the rest of the world.
Professor Makoba (2018), in his analysis of African Leadership and the Management of African economies demonstrates how leadership can transform or destroy a country. Before African leaders came to preoccupy themselves with corrupt practices of personal accumulation and enrichment of their supporters, the African continent had hope in leadership potential. Effective leadership and Good Governance are therefore intimately related. Without effective leadership, we may not envisage Good Governance in its totality. Without effective leadership and Good Governance at all levels in private, public, and civil organizations, it is arguably virtually impossible to achieve and to sustain effective administration, to achieve goals, to sustain quality, and deliver services. The increasing complexities and requirements arising from the constant change in society, coupled with the constant push for higher levels of productivity, require effective and ethical leadership.
The terms “governance” and “good governance” are being increasingly used in development literature. Bad governance (which is the opposite of good governance) is being increasingly regarded as one of the root causes of all evil within our societies. Major donors and international financial institutions (like World Bank and IMF) are increasingly basing their aid and loans on the condition that reforms that ensure “Governance” and “good governance” are undertaken. A number of themes that are multi-disciplinary have been listed to provide important areas where the discourse on the importance of governance and leadership for social transformation can be based. The conference has been organized to have special sessions and forums bringing together specialized participants in sessions unique to their contexts.